Morro Bay Yacht Club ocean fleet Race

I participated in my first ocean race of the new year today with the Morro Bay Yacht Club (MBYC). The Winter 2 race was under clear skies and 12- 15 knots of wind with 4-7 foot swells.  A great day for sailing.

I crewed on a Dana 24 with Captain Ken. It was nice to be in a race on a boat the size of Training Wheels especially one as well appointed as this one. It had all the electronics which come in handy during a race. The fleet was split into two classes today, basically a slow group and a fast group. We did fairly well finishing first in our class (slow group) and placing second after the handicaps were applied. With the handicaps we finished 5 overall in the fleet.  Not too bad a showing.  

We blew a big lead we had ending the second leg of six legs in the race. We made a poor jibe around the marker getting the jib stuck on the staysail during the jibe and lost about 4 minuntes. It is pretty tough to get the big jib around the staysail quickly.  This is why I changed Training Wheels from a cutter rigged sailboat (has 2 sails in front of mast close together) to a sloop rig (just a main and a jib).  

A good example of a cutter rigged sailboat from the Biscayne Bay Sailing Club website.

As for Training Wheels, the kill switch on the Engine broke so the next post will be outboard engine maintenance tips. 

Coats 3 and 4

More varnishing. Go Packers!

Refinishing Teak

Ok first we have to share last night's sunset with you.

I know.  It is amazing. And this is an iphone picture.  Amazing.  It deserves its own post.

Secondly, we are refinishing our teak.  After 16 months, it is shot to hell.  The lacquer was very warm and inviting on the teak a year ago, but the elements have beaten the warmth out of it.  We sanded down the varnish until the black weathered teak could no longer be seen.  We are applying layers of high gloss varnish now.  How many layers?

Neighbor Wilson says he has 10 layers on his teak.  His 10-layer-job is only 4 months old.  We'll see what it looks like in one year.  Another dock neighbor said his have 4 layers.  His are a year old and they look it.

We have settled on a cordial 5 layers.  And we are just expecting to have to do this every 16 months.  Some online research has suggested that applying a single touch-up coat or even some basic teak oil every other month will make the job last longer. Not sure if that is more or less work but may give it a try.